Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/345



Smaller proportions, and of the XVth century. Found near the Bank of England The blade and pommel are associated. Collection: Author

The McLean of Coll "Bruce" sword has lost its pommel; the Cluny Castle sword its grip and part of its blade; the Drummond Castle sword has a new grip; the sword of the Clan Menzies is not of Scottish but of German make; as is also the Clackmannan Tower "Bruce" sword. In fact, nearly all such "great swords" as have achieved fame on account of their historical associations must be looked upon with grave suspicion; for many are not what they seem, while others, judged by their actual age, could not possibly have belonged to the heroes to whose ownership they are attributed. The Claidheamh-mor belonging to the Countess Dowager of Seafield is a splendid early XVIth century weapon; as is also that in the collection of Dr. Francis Caird. A very fine specimen used to be in the possession of the Marquis of Breadalbane; but it is now in the Rutherford Stuyvesant Collection of New York (Fig. 682). A good example, though incomplete, is shown in the Godfrey Williams Collection at St. Donat's Castle; while another specimen is on view in the mediaeval department of the British Museum (Fig. 683). We have also